The iOS 6.0.2 update was released earlier this week, and while it may be fixing Wi-Fi problems for some, it’s causing battery life problems for others. iPhone 5 and iPad mini owners are reporting the battery life issue since performing the update. Twitter is all, well… atwitter with posts about the subject!
First reported by TidBITS’ Adam Engst and supported by a number of posters in Apple’s Support Communities, some (but seemingly not all) iPhone users have begun seeing dramatically reduced battery life on their iPhones after performing the update.
Apple says the update “fixes a bug that could impact Wi-Fi.” iPhone 5 users were complaining about their devices not staying connected to Wi-Fi, causing the phones to use their cellular data connection, and thus use larger amounts of data.
The team at TidBITS theorizes that the changes Apple made in the Wi-Fi workings may be related to the battery drain. “Our speculation, based on some quick testing that Michael Cohen did, is that the problem is related to a change in Wi-Fi behavior, which maps with Apple’s sole release note for iOS 6.0.2,” Engst wrote. “[I]t’s far from conclusive, but indicates that the problem may be related to wireless communication in some fashion.”
Users in the Apple Support Communities are also reporting problems, but at least one user, “.zaph.” has a differing theorem on what’s happening. “Quick update on this, I’m still letting my phone drain before I charge it again. It’s been sitting at four percent for a few hours now (mostly idling),” .zaph. wrote. “I have a feeling the phone is confused about how much power is actually left. Once it drains and recharges to 100 percent in one sitting, it should know better and am anticipating it getting better then.”
I myself have not noticed any noticeable change in battery life since I updated earlier this week. Have you? Let us know what you’re seeing with your device since the update in the comments section below.
